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I think it is too early to give up on Iwakuma.
Hasegawa was on TV as a commentator and explained the difference in MLB and NPB catching. Many NPB catchers locate their mitt where he wants the pitch but MLB catchers just locate it in the middle of the strikezone.
As for Montero he located it always up in the zone.
Typical was the pitch bottom of 3rd inning 2outs pitchers count 1-2 to Murata.
Iwakuma should have pitched a splitfinger coming from strikezone in the dirt but pitched a splitfinger coming from upper strikezone to lower strikezone which Murata hit for a single to center.
Here if Motero had his mitt in the dirt for a aim it would be much easier for Iwakuma to execute that pitch.
So either Iwakuma must get used (but it will be very difficult for him) or Montero or other MLB catcher must learn.
BTW Quiroz was very very bad. Not only passed balls from Sherill but also he did not watch the 3rd runner at a double steal play.
That is a fundamental play just to turn the head to 3rd before gunning to 2nd but he did not do it.
Also Luetge was horrible.
Bottom of 5 when Kamei had a outfield fly to center and Ichiro caught it and throw a strike to homeplate.
I do not know what Luetge was thinking but he jumped and tried to cacth that ball. It was inches of his glove but he could have reflected it. It is a play he should not do. He must learn how to field more.
The young kids have much more to learn I think.

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